Managers can be cited for dancing violations

Roseville police can now cite or arrest business managers and other employees on scene for violating the city’s dance permit ordinance, which officials say will improve enforcement.

The change, approved unanimously by the Roseville City Council during Wednesday’s meeting, closes a loophole and brings the dance ordinance in line with the entertainment ordinance, passed in September, which applies to entertainment businesses in downtown and Old Town, said Roseville police spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther.

“The entertainment ordinance lists a number of ‘responsible parties’ who can be held responsible for violations,” Gunther told the Press Tribune. “(This change) will certainly make it easier for officers to address permit violations at the time they are occurring.”

The amendment adds that “any person acting in the capacity of a manager, employee or agent thereof” may also be held responsible if they “conduct, permit, encourage or facilitate a public or private dance being operated without a permit.” Roseville instituted a dance permit in 2005.

The previous rules only held the renter, lessee or owner of the premises responsible for violations. According to the city, this left managers and employees with little incentive to stop infractions. The amendment also clarifies that entertainment permit holders don’t also need to obtain a dance permit.